What are some considerations when using sulphur to decrease your pH?
- If sulfur rates are too high excessive acidity can develop in root zone.
- Monitor pH frequently and leave a few small untreated areas to monitor change.
- Sampling at various depths can also be valuable to ensure the top is not too acidic (roots).
- The process requires biological oxidation involving a bacteria (Thiobacillus spp.).
- Soil temperatures and moisture also impact breakdown, safety and application timing.
You should not put down more than _____ lbs/1000 of sulfphur in a year.
10
What are the most common chemicles used to acidify the soil?
- Ammonium sulfate
- Ferrous sulfate
- Elemental Sulfur
- Ammonium thiosulfate
There are some fertilizers that will raise your pH over time. what are they?
Nitrate fertilizers
ex. potassium nitrate
sodium nitrate
calcium nitrate
Can fertilizer selections for other nutrients besides calcium affect pH?
Yes
what are the 2 most effective fertilizers for lowering your pH?
Ammonium Sulfate
Sulfur coated Urea
_______ in the parent material of a soil will cause it to naturally stay alkaline.
Calcium Carbonate
What are some ways to reduct the pH in a soil?
- Using sulfur based fertilizers
- applying sulfur to ammend soil prior to seeding/laying sod.
- adding sulfur to irrigation water
describe Salt Induced Water Deficit:
- Basically is Salt induced Drought Stress
- salt content in coils cause plants to naturaly wilt
- reduces plant size
- greater potential for dessication
- causes the stomates to close causing reduced photosynthesis and respiration.
descride Ion Toxicity:
- Where sodium ions are directly toxic to the plants.
- Sodium replaces calcium on roots and causes damage.
- Most common ions that cause it are sodium and chloride.
Describe the difference between Saline and Sodic soils.
- Saline Soil is a soil that has high concentrations of “other salts” like potassium or magnesium. Sodium is not the problem
- Sodic Soil contains high levels of Sodium, so much that they affect plant growth. Don’t drain well.
management of salt affected soils:
- Soil sampling: get a good baseline of suspected sites.
- Test soil surface and depth to root growth (3-4 inches).
- Test for EC, SAR, and nutrient status
- Physical data is also important (clay and OM)
- Test water quality (needed for leaching fraction or Leaching Requirement (LR)
What factors contribute to reducing salt inputs in the soil?
- Drainage to flush the soil
- Use the best water possible when flushing
- Aerification helps break up salts on hte surface
- Avoid over fertilization
- Reverse Osmosis water treatment - expensive
What is the best option when high levels of sodium are present and fail to leach?
Apply Gypsum to knock those Na ions off the particle so they will leach
what are some considerations when leaching (flushing) your soil?
- Test prior to leaching
- Irrigation distribution uniformity is critical
- water volume passing through the rootzone is the key
- drainage is vital to allowing this to work
what are some considerations when using Gypsum to improve your Sodic soil?
- Works where Na (sodic) is an issue
- Replaces the Na with Ca
- Takes time- not one application and done
- Must be calcium sulfate and leached soon after application
How does Gypsum affect soil pH?
It doesn’t, it’s neutral
What is the role of Gypsum in salt management?
- It replaces the Na ions with Ca ions and allows the water to leach the sodium out of the rootzone
- It does this without affecting the pH
What are the most common salts that cause problems?
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Chloride
